India in commanding position after Kuldeep-Ashwin-Siraj show

Chattogram: Ravichandran Ashwin’s half century and wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s 4-fer put India in a commanding position on Day 2 of the first Test against Bangladesh at Zahur Ahmed Stadium here on Thursday.
Bangladesh were reeling at 133/8 in 44 overs in reply to India’s 404 all out after they were blown away by Kuldeep, who snapped up four wickets in six overs on introduction.
As many as 271 runs behind, the hosts need a miracle to get out of the hole on Day 3 when Mehidy Hasan Mirza and Ebadot Hossain, resume at their overnight scores of 16 and 13, while India may look to enforce a follow-on.
After Ashwin (58) and Kuldeep’s (40) rearguard action of stitching 92 runs stand for 8th wicket pushed India past 400, Mohammad Siraj scripted a first-ball wicket when Bangladesh began their innings.
Pacer Umesh Yadav had Yasir Ali’s (4) stump flying. Siraj then claimed Zakir Hasan (20) and Litton Das (24) soon to leave Bangladesh tottering at 56/4.
Enter Kuldeep, he got Shakib Al Hasan (3) the first ball the latter faced him, almost had Nurul Hasan (16) LBW same over, but had him a while later. He also removed Mushfiqur Rahim (28) and then did a double again by knocking over Taijul Islam (0).
It looked as if Indian bowlers would fold the hosts before stumps, but Mehidy showed his class again with solid defence and few attacking strokes.
In the morning session, India added 70 runs in 30 overs by losing just a wicket.
Ebadot peppered overnight batsman Shreyas Iyer with short-pitched deliveries before disturbing his timbers. Bangladesh smelt of wrapping up the India tail quickly, but Ashwin and Kuldeep smashed their plans.
They did not show any signs of urgency and were happy to get their foot in the middle.
Bangladesh’s bowlers toiled hard and would have had much better returns if their fielders had supported them properly. Quite a few dropped catches were seen.
Taijul plugged away at one end with nagging accuracy and his spin partner Mehidy had a much better outing today as the duo finished with four apiece. Ebadot also bowled exceedingly well and was finally rewarded with the big wicket of Iyer.
India also pocketed the post-lunch session by claiming a couple of wickets. By the end of the day, Kuldeep and Siraj’s figures read 4/33 and 3/14.
Brief scores: India 404 (Cheteshwar Pujara 90, Shreyas Iyer 86, R Ashwin 58; Taijul Islam 4-133, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 4-113) lead Bangladesh 133/8 (Mushfiqur Rahim 28; Kuldeep Yadav 4-33, Mohammad Siraj 3-14) by 271 runs. (by BD Naraayannkar, UNI)